Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-01-21
Execution d C|lvsF'!Ia,i
HE MAKES NO CONFESSION

6AM hEfOhI LEWIS wv A1As-
NOR LEE-sCENEs AT THE JAIL BE-
FORE THE EXECUTION-NO COMES
SION FROM THE PRISONER.
by Telegraph to the STAUNToN V1NDmAToR.]
RICHMOND, THURSDAY, January ID. !
4P. M.
I am just back from the city Jail where
I had long interview with the condemn
ed man, Cluverius, and with the officials
there, and am also from the Executive
Mansion where had quite long talk with
Gov. Lee on the Case.
1 was met at the gate OF the Jail by
Deputy Sergeant Allen and invited in,
from amidst a crowd of curious people.
white and black. who hung around the
gate anxious to gain Ambulance and not
succeeding in that, were held to the place
by the sounds Of hammer and saw within
the enclosure.
THE GALLOWS.
The first object that met my eye was
the dismal preparation in the yard where
half-dozsn carpenters were engaged upon
the work of the gallows; for it is to be
new one throughout, not. as has been
stated, the old one used in the execution
of two Henrico county negroes, year or
Two ago. 1t is of white pine, the platform
being Il feet from the ground and the
cross beam stout arm of black walnut
resting on two uprights, feet above the
platform. The workmen were placing this
in position when 1 came away. All the
windows and doors looking out upon
4hese ominous preparations were crowded
With the eager faces of prisoners, and even
where they could not see anything but the
races of passing people. they still stood
lacked together looking out upon the yard
md rewarded by the sound now and Then
of the workmen's busy tools or the casual
fall of piece of timber.
INTERVIEW WITH CLUvERIUs.
Expressing a wish to see the prisoner,
sergeant j. e.. Smith, the Chief officer,
therein, obligingly communicated my wish
70 the keeper. Mr.. Dunn, and he to the
prisoner, and 1 was told ''as soOn as the
preachers came out could see him." In
i've minutes Revs. Pitts aud CrenshaW
came out, both Quakers, looking very Sc
rious. then walked into neatly blue
washed cell, comfortably fitted up and
saw for the first time the celebrated pris-
oner. AS he stood before me, slight,
well-formed man dressed in neat light
grey suit. and extended his hand in greet
ing with something of a smile by way OF
welcome, his auburn hair being smoothly
combed and parted. he looked me full in
the eye with peculiarly mild expression
and thought never saw man who
locke less the murderer.
Mr.. Dunn, the guard, and Mr.. j. S.
LipscomD sat in the room during our
talk, both engaging in it from time to
| time.
told Cluverius heard that he had
made a confession? &
He said i, was not so, that he had moth
ing to confess, and spoke rather bitterly OF
the 'sState'' newspaper which was trying
to make it out that be had Confessed or
force him to it whether or no.
Mr.. Dnnn said, II know everything
that goes on in this cell and the prisoner
has certainly not made any confession.
do not undertake, he said, to say that be is
an innocent man, but do know that he
has not had fair trial, and the jury that
convicted him was not ft to sit on the
case of even a dog.'
We went over more of the evidence, the
prisoner remarking that he could not have
lifted the girl over the reservoir
fence, and standing up at the sug-
gestion of the guard to show me what
"slight. weakly boy he was" 1t did
seem unlikely. After long conversation
1 told him that did not wish to raise
false opes in his heart. but tnat had
travelled. recently, over large portion of
Virginia, and believed that three-fourths
of the people I met we're Of the opinion that
a case had not been made out ag ainst him.
Cluverius said that Was just it; that he
did not ask for pardon but new trial.
Governor and tell him what had stated
to him. Said he, What harm would it
do to give me more time TO get new cyl
dence 2 I can't get away. Every day
the case is weakening and in sixty days
the whole bottom will drop out.''
1 mentioned the matter of additional
expense of trial, when Mr.. Dunn said
LAS to that would be willing to do my
part without paw, and so would the others
here, rather than the boy should not have
another trial. That jury was not compe-
tent to try a cur"
The prisoners aunt and brother spent
the mornin with him, and after we came
out Rev. Mr.. Clopton and DIR. Hatcher
went in.
Keeper Dunn said the prisoner walked
this morning about eight, smiled when he
came in, said he had slept we'll and made
a good breakfast. The negro restauranter,
Jackson, brought in his dinner while we
we're in the hall. Sergeant Smith tasted
the salt and cream and examined every.
thing carefully, making the keeper 90 into
the cell with the boy and remain there